Flaring tool

ABSTRACT

A manually operable tube flaring tool for providing a partial flare in the end of a deformable tube. The tool includes a flaring head defining an annular flaring surface and a cylindrical pilot portion projecting axially from the flaring surface to be received in the tube end for guiding the flaring surface axially against the distal end of the tube during the flaring operation. The tool further includes a support for fixedly positioning the tube end coaxially adjacent the flaring surface of the flaring head. The support defines an improved recess configuration providing a controlled buckling of the tube end by the forceful engagement therewith of the flaring surface wherein the buckled tube end defines preselected frustoconical inner and outer portions. The support may further define a conventional single flare recess opposite the partial flare recess whereby the tube may be used selectively to provide either of the partial or single flare flaring operations. The tube clamp may be defined by one leg of the U-shaped body and a cooperating clamp block movably carried by the body and adjustably positioned by a threaded member threaded through the other leg of the body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to manually operable flaring tools and inparticular to flaring tools for providing double flares.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In one conventional form of flaring tool, a flaring cone is urged intothe distal end of the tube so as to flare the distal end frustonicallyoutwardly. The flaring operation is controlled so as to arrange theflared end accurately to conform to the seating surface of the fittingto which the flared tube is to be connected.

In certain applications, it is desirable to fold over the flare so as toprovide double thick walls. Illustrations of such double flaring toolsare illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,370,089, 2,553,813, and U.S. Pat.No. Re.24,325, each of which patents is owned by the assignee hereof.

Other patents owned by the assignee hereof illustrating other forms offlaring tool structures are those of Kowal et al U.S. Pat. Nos.3,576,335, Strybel 3,849,881, and Strybel 3,913,364.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprehends an improved manually operable toolwhich provides a partial double flare in the end of a deformable tube,permitting the completion of the formation of the double flare by thefitting elements themselves as an incident of making up of the fitting.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tool deflects the tube end to apreselected partial double flare configuration by effecting a controlledbuckling of the tube end within a novel recess in the tube support by anovel flaring head acting against the distal end of the tube.

More specifically, the tube flaring tool of the present inventionincludes a flaring head defining an annular flaring surface and acylindrical pilot portion projecting axially from the flaring surface tobe returned in the tube end for guiding the flaring surface axiallyagainst the distal end of the tube, a support for fixedly positioningthe tube end coaxially adjacent the flaring surface, the supportdefining a cylindrical recess coaxially confronting the flaring surfaceand including an outer right circularly cylindrical portion, an innerfrustoconical, outwardly widening portion opening coaxially into theouter portion, and an innermost tube clamping right circularlycylindrical portion, and force transmitting means for forcibly urgingthe flaring head axially inwardly against the distal end of the tubesecured by the clamping portion, the angularity of the frustoconicalsurface being preselected to allow the tube end to buckle outwardly tohave an inner portion abut the frustoconical surface of the support andan outer portion adjacent the distal end abut the flaring surface of theflaring head.

In the illustrated embodiment, the head flaring surface is frustoconicalwidening inwardly coaxially toward the support recess.

In one embodiment, the flaring surface comprises a planar surfaceperpendicular to the axis of the pilot portion.

The head may define a radially outer cylindrical surface slidablyreceivable in the outer portion of the support recess for furtherguiding of the head in the forming operation.

The head and support may include cooperating stop means for limiting theaxial inward movement of the head.

The angular arrangement of the different surfaces of the head and recessare accurately preselected to provide a preselected partial buckled tubeend for accurate fit in the tube fitting in which the flared tube end isto be used so as to permit a completion of the tube flare to beaccurately effected as an incident of threaded make-up of the fitting inthe normal manner.

The diameter of the outer cylindrical surface of the support recess isaccurately preselected to control the outer diameter of the partialflare.

In one form, the force transmitting means comprises threaded means forthreadedly advancing the flaring head against the tube end. In anotherform, the force transmitting means comprises a punch having a strikingsurface opposite the flaring head portion.

The invention further comprehends the provision of a tube flaring toolstructure wherein the body comprises a U-shaped body defining spacedlegs and an intermediate bight portion. Fixed means are provided on oneof the legs to define one half portion of a tube clamp, and a clampblock is movably positioned in the space between the legs and definesthe other half portion of the tube clamp. Means are provided forforcibly urging the clamp block toward the one leg so as to effectivelyclamp a tube end between the clamp block and one leg in the half tubeclamp portions thereof.

The support is adapted for use with a flaring head as discussed aboveadapted to make only a partial flare in the end of the tube held in thenovel tube clamp structure.

Thus, the tool structure of the present invention is extremely simpleand economical of construction while yet providing the highly desirablefeatures discussed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawingwherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view with portions broken away illustrating oneembodiment of a manually operable tube flaring tool embodying theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged diametric section illustrating a firststep in the forming of the partial double flare in the tube end by theflaring tool;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section illustrating the arrangement of the tubeend and tool as upon completion of the forming of the partial doubleflare thereby;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view partially in section illustrating thedisposition of the tube end with the partial double flare formed thereinmounted within a partially made-up fitting;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 4 but illustrating thearrangement of the fitting and tube end upon completion of the make-upof the fitting wherein the final double flare of the tube end iseffected as an incident of the make-up of the fitting;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view partially in section illustrating amodified form of tool embodying the invention;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of a further modified form of tool embodyingthe invention; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section illustrating a modified form of supportfor use in the tube flaring tool of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in FIGS. 1-5of the drawing, a tube flaring tool generally designated 10 is shown tocomprise a U-shaped body 11 having a first leg 12, an opposite secondleg 13, and a bight portion 14. Leg 13 is provided with a turned end 15having a threaded bore 16 through which is threaded a threaded rod 17carrying at its lower end a flaring head 18. Threading of the rod may beeffected by a conventional handle 19 provided at the outer end of therod.

A clamp block 20 is movably disposed in the space between legs 12 and 13of body 11. A tube clamp generally designated 21 is provided for holdingthe end 22 of a tube T coaxially of the flaring head 18 and rod 17. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the tube clamp includes a half clamp portion23 carried on the leg 12 and a half clamp portion 24 carried on theblock 20. Flaring head 18 cooperates with the clamp portions 23 and 24in the flaring operation to define in the tube end 22 a preselectedpartial double flare generally designated 25, as shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, the tube end 22, with partial double flare 25 formedtherein, may be installed in the body 26 and nut member 27 of aconventional compression fitting so that upon completion of make-up ofthe fitting, as shown in FIG. 5, the partial double flare 25 isconverted into a completed double flare generally designated 28providing improved positive sealing connection of the tube end 22 to thefitting. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawing, the nut27 includes a frustoconical sealing surface 29 and the body 26 includesa frustoconical sealing surface 20 between which the double wall flareis clamped in the made-up arrangement of the fitting. The partial flare25 is suitably arranged so as to permit facilitated completion of theformation of the double flare 28 as an incident of the make-up of thefitting.

Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawing, flaringhead 18 includes a base portion 31 defining a lower stop surfacegenerally designated 32 including a planar distal portion 33 and acircumferential frustoconical portion 34.

The head further is provided with a depending flaring portion 35projecting inwardly coaxially from base portion 31 and defining an innerfrustoconical flaring surface 36 widening downwardly, or inwardly, asshown in FIG. 2. Projecting further inwardly from the center of thefrustoconical portion 36 is a pilot portion 37 adapted to be receivedwithin a bore 38 of the tube end 22 and thereby guiding the flaring head18 during the partial double flare forming operation.

As further shown in FIG. 2, the flaring portion 35 is right circularlycylindrical in the illustrated embodiment, and is received during thepartial double flare forming operation in a recess generally designed 39in tube clamp 21.

More specifically, the recess 39 includes an outer right circularlycylindrical portion 40 receiving the complementary flaring portion 35 ofthe flaring head. Inwardly of portion 40, the recess defines an innerfrustoconical outwardly widening portion 41. Extending inwardly from thenarrow inner end of frustoconical portion 41, the recess is defined by acylindrical portion 42 having a diameter preselected to provide clampingof the tube end 22 when the half clamp portions 23 and 24 are broughttogether forcibly about the tube end 22.

As further shown in FIG. 2, recess 39 includes an outer enlarged portion43 defined by a planar surface 44 into which recess portion 40 outwardlyopens, a frustoconical outwardly widening portion 45, and an outermostright circularly cylindrical portion 46. The diameter of portion 45 isslightly greater than the outer diameter of base portion 31 of flaringhead 18 so as to permit the base portion to move downwardlytherethrough. Downward, or inward, movement of the flaring head islimited by the abutment of head surface 33 with clamp surface 44, andhead surface 34 with clamp surface 45 at the end of the formingoperation, as shown in FIG. 3.

More specifically, as the flaring head 18 is moved downwardly intorecess 39 during the forming of the partial double flare 25, the distalend 47 of the tube end 22 is captured at the outer end of thefrustoconical flaring surface 36 of the flaring head. The downwardmovement therefore causes the tube end to buckle so as to define aninner, outwardly widening frustoconical portion 48 and an outwardlynarrowing frustoconical portion 49. The outer diameter of the buckledpartial flare 25 is controlled by the abutment of the folded midportion50 of the partial flare 25 with the right circularly cylindrical surface40 of recess 39. The angularity of portion 48 is controlled by theabutment thereof with surface 41 of recess 39 and the angularity of theouter partial double flare portion 49 is controlled by the outerdiameter of the pilot portion 37 at the juncture thereof with flaringhead surface 36. .Iadd.As shown in FIG. 3, the distal end 47 of the tubefacially abuts the frustoconical stop surface 36a which narrows axiallyinwardly to the pilot portion 37, the outer surface of tube portion 49facially abuts the flaring head surface 36, and the tube portion 48facially abuts recess surface 41 in the buckled, partially completeddouble flare configuration 25. As shown in FIG. 3, tube portion 49extends substantially normally to the stop surface 36a in the buckledconfiguration, as a result of the extension of surface 36a substantiallyperpendicularly to flaring surface 36. .Iaddend.

More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the backup surface 41extends at a frustoconical angle of approximately 45° to the axis of thecylindrical recess. The frustoconical flaring surface 36 extends at anangle of approximately 60° to the axis of the flaring head. The stopsurface 45 extends at a frustoconical angle of approximately 45° to theaxis of the recess 39.

As further shown in FIG. 2, the pilot portion 37 may have a slightinwardly narrowing taper to facilitate insertion thereof into the tubeend.

As shown in FIG. 5, the outer portion 51 of the completed double flarehas a length such that the distal portion 47 of the tube end has aninnermost diameter approximately equal to that of the normal innerdiameter of the tube bore. The provision of the outer portion 51 to havesuch length is obtained by suitably sizing the diameter of recessportion 40 in coordination with the presented angularity of surface 36and surface 41.

The angularity of surfaces 36 and 41 is further preselected so as topermit facilitated deformation of the tube end by buckling by means ofthe manual threading operation in the manually operable tool. Thus, theangularity of these surfaces is preselected to permit facilitatedcontrolled buckling of the tube end by manually applied forces.Additionally, the angularity of these surfaces is preselected to permitfacilitated completion of the double flare formation by the fittingelements while yet providing a sufficiently partially formed doubleflare to assure the final disposition of the flare portions in theconfiguration shown in FIG. 5.

Not only does the recess surface 40 provide a positive control on theouter diameter on the partial double flare and coordinated control withthe surfaces 36 and 41 of the angularity of the partially completeddouble flare 25, but also the abutment of the partial flare portion 50therewith effectively maintains desired concentricity of the flared endrelative to the axis of the tube end.

As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, the force applying meansmay not only comprise the threaded carrier rod 17, as shown in FIG. 1,but the improved partial double flare formation may similarly beeffected by means of a punchtype force applying means, such as punch 52,as shown in FIG. 7. The punch may be provided with a flaring headportion 53 generally similar to flaring head portion 18 of tool 10, andmay cooperate with a clamping means similar to the clamping means oftool 10 to provide the desired partial double flare 25 for completion inthe fitting, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The invention further comprehends the provision of the clamping means asa means for selectively providing the above discussed partial doubleflare, or a conventional single flare by simple reversal of the clampingmeans. Thus, referring more specifically to FIG. 8, the one half clamphalf 54 and one half clamp half 55 are provided at the lower end of theclamping portion 42a with a frustoconical flaring surface 56 permittingthe clamp to be reversed in supporting the tube end and therby permitflaring of the tube end clamped therein by a conventional single flareflaring head (not shown). By means of the modified clamping structure ofFIG. 8, a further more universally adaptable tool is provided forproviding selectively either double flare or single flare tube ends asdesired.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments of illustrative of thebroad inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.

We claim: .[.1. A manually operable tube flaring tool for providing acontrolled buckling of the end of a deformable tube to form a partialdouble flare therein, said tool comprising: a flaring head defining afrustoconical flaring surface and a cylindrical pilot portion projectingaxially from said flaring surface to be received in the tube end forguiding the flaring surface axially against the distal end of the tube,said flaring surface extending radially substantially the entire radialdimension of the flaring head radially outwardly of the pilot portion; asupport for fixedly positioning said tube end coaxially adjacent saidflaring surface, said support defining a cylindrical recess coaxiallyconfronting said flaring surface and including an axially outer rightcircularly cylindrical portion having an inner diameter slightly greaterthan that of the large end of said flaring surface for slidably guidingthe flaring head during a flaring operation, an axially innerfrustoconical, outwardly widening portion opening coaxially into saidouter portion and an axially innermost tube clamping right circularlycylindrical portion; force transmitting means for forcibly urging theflaring head axially inwardly against said distal end of the tubesecured by said clamping portion, the angularity of said frustoconicalportion being preselected to allow said tube end to buckle radiallyoutwardly to have an axially inner portion abut said frustoconicalportion of the support and an axially outer portion adjacent said distalend about said flaring surface of the flaring head, and stop means forpositively limiting inward movement of the flaring head relative to saidsupport for assuring an accurately preselected buckled partial doubleflare configuration of the tube end, said stop means including anannular, inwardly facing planar stop surface on said flaring headoutwardly adajcent said flaring surface, and a complementary annularoutwardly facing planar stop surface on said support outwardly adjacentsaid outer recess portion..]. .[.2. The tube flaring tool of claim 1wherein said flaring surface comprises a planar surface perpendicular tothe axis of said pilot portion..].
 3. The tube flaring tool of claim.[.1.]. .Iadd.16 .Iaddend.wherein said head defines a radially outercylindrical surface slidably receivable in said .[.outer portion of thesupport recess.]. .Iadd.holding means. .Iaddend.
 4. The tube flaringtool of claim .Iadd..[.1.]..Iaddend. .Iadd.16 .Iaddend.wherein said.[.support.]. .Iadd.holding means .Iaddend.include cooperating stopmeans for limiting the axially inward movement of the flaring surfaceagainst said distal end of the tube.
 5. The tube flaring tool of claim.[.1.]. .Iadd.19 .Iaddend.wherein said inner frustoconical portion ofthe support recess extends at an angle of approximately 45° to the axisthereof.
 6. The tube flaring tool of claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.16.Iaddend.wherein said frustoconical flaring surface .[.widens inwardlycoaxially toward said support recess.]. .Iadd.extends .Iaddend.at anangle of approximately 60° to the axis thereof.
 7. The tube flaring toolof claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.19 .Iaddend.wherein the diameter of said outercylindrical portion of the support recess is preselected to allow amidportion of said tube end to abut said surface when said tube end isbuckled to have said inner portion abut said frustoconical portion andsaid outer portion to abut said flaring surface. .[.8. The tube flaringtool of claim 1 wherein said force transmitting means comprises threadedmeans for advancing said head against said tube end as an incident ofmanual threaded rotation thereof..]. .[.9. The tube flaring tool ofclaim 1 wherein said force transmitting means comprises a punch carryingsaid head at one end and defining a striking surface at an oppositeend..].
 10. The tube flaring tool of claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.16.Iaddend.wherein said pilot portion is tapered inwardly for facilitatedinsertion into said tube end. .[.11. The tube flaring tool in claim 1wherein said head defines a radially outer cylindrical surface having adiameter approximately 0.01 inch smaller than the diameter of said outerportion of the support recess whereby the head is freely slidablyreceivable in said outer portion of the support recess..].
 12. The tubeflaring tool of claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.21 .Iaddend.wherein said .[.head andsupport include cooperating.]. stop means .[.for limiting.]..Iadd.limits .Iaddend.the axially inward movement of the flaring surfaceagainst said distal end of the tube to cause the buckled tube end tohave an accurately preselected axial length.
 13. The tube flaring toolof claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.21 .Iaddend.wherein said stop means furthercomprise radially outer complementary frustoconical outwardly wideningguide surfaces on said flaring head and support extending outwardly fromsaid planar stop surfaces.
 14. The tube flaring tool of claim .[.1.]..Iadd.19 .Iaddend.wherein said support comprises a U-shaped carrierhaving one leg provided with fixed means defining one half of saidrecess, a movable clamp member provided with means defining the otherhalf of said recess, and threaded means threaded through the other legfor forcibly urging said clamp member toward said one leg to clamp thetube end therebetween in the recess defined by the juxtaposition of saidhalf recesses.
 15. The tube flaring tool of claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.19.Iaddend.wherein said support further defines a frustoconical recessopposite said cylindrical recess for use in selectively providing asingle flare on a tube end. .Iadd.
 16. Pressing structure for providinga controlled buckling of the end of a deformable tube to form a partialdouble flare therein, comprisingtool means defining holding means forholding the tube end, and a flaring head defining a frustoconicalaxially inwardly widening flaring surface, a frustoconical axiallyinwardly narrowing stop surface extending from the radially inner end ofthe flaring surface, and a pilot portion projecting coaxially inwardlyfrom the radially inner end of the stop surface to be received in thetube end for guiding the stop and flaring surfaces into facialengagement with the tube end to cause said tube end to buckle radiallyoutwardly and cause the distal end of the tube end to abut said stopsurface with the axially outer portion of the buckled tube end extendingfrustoconically substantially normally to said stop surface as anincident of the flaring head being forced coaxially against said tubeend. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 17. The pressing structure of claim 16 wherein saidflaring head stop surface extends substantially perpendicularly to saidflaring surface. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 18. A system for providing a controlledbuckling of the end of a deformable tube to form a double flare therein,comprising: tool means defining holding means for holding the tube end,and a flaring head defining a frustoconical axially inwardly wideningflaring surface, a frustoconical axially inwardly narrowing stop surfaceextending from the radially inner end of the flaring surface, and apilot portion projecting coaxially inwardly from the radially inner endof the stop surface to be received in the tube end for guiding the stopand flaring surfaces into facial engagement with the tube end to causesaid tube end to buckle radially outwardly and cause the distal end ofthe tube end to abut said stop surface with the axially outer portion ofthe buckled tube end extending frustoconically substantially normally tosaid stop surface as an incident of the flaring head being forcedcoaxially against said tube end; and tube fitting means defining afrustoconical axially outwardly widening compression surface terminatingin an annular axially inner planar surface, and an axial bore openingthrough said annular surface and having a diameter substantially equalto the inner diameter of said tube end, the outer diameter of saidfrustoconical stop surface being less than the outer diameter of saidannular planar surface. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 19. A system for providing acontrolled buckling of the end of a deformable tube to form a doubleflare therein, comprising: tool means defining holder means for holdingthe tube end, and a flaring head defining a frustoconical axiallyinwardly widening flaring surface, a frustoconical axially inwardlynarrowing stop surface extending from the radially inner end of theflaring surface, and a pilot portion projecting coaxially inwardly fromthe radially inner edn of the stop surface to be received in the tubeend for guiding the stop and flaring surfaces into facial engagementwith the tube end to cause said tube end to buckle radially outwardly ina partial double flare configuration with the distal end of the tube endabutting said stop surface and with the axially outer portion of thebuckled tube end extending frustoconically substantially normally tosaid stop surface as an incident of the flaring head being forcedcoaxially against said tube end; and tube fitting means defining afrustoconical axially outwardly widening compression surface terminatingin an annular axially inner planar surface, and an axial bore openingthrough said annular surface and having a diameter substantially equalto the inner diameter of said tube end, the outer diameter of saidfrustoconical stop surface being less than the outer diameter of saidannular planar surface, said holding means comprising a support defininga recess coaxially confronting said flaring surface of the flaring headand including an axially outer right circularly cylindrical portionhaving an inner diameter slightly greater than that of the large end ofsaid flaring surface and slidably guiding the flaring head during aflaring operation, an axially inner frustoconical, axially outwardlywidening portion opening coaxially into said recess outer portion, andan axially innermost tube clamping right circularly cylindrical portion..Iaddend..Iadd.
 20. The system of claim 19 wherein said axially inner,frustoconical outwardly widening portion of the support recess extendssubstantially perpendicularly to the frustoconical flaring surfacewhereby said buckled tube end includes substantially perpendicularaxially inward and outward buckled portions in facial abutment therewithupon completion of the partial flaring operation. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 21. Asystem for providing a controlled buckling of the end of a deformabletube to form a double flare therein, comprising: tool means definingholding means for holding the tube end, and a flaring head defining afrustoconical axially inwardly widening flaring surface, a frustoconicalaxially inwardly narrowing stop surface extending from the radiallyinner end of the flaring surface, and a pilot portion projectingcoaxially inwardly from the radially inner end of the stop surface to bereceived in the tube end for guiding the stop and flaring surfaces intofacial engagement with the tube end to cause said tube end to buckleradially outwardly and cause the distal end of the tube end to abut saidstop surface with the axially outer portion of the buckled tube endextending frustoconically substantially normally to said stop surface asan incident of the flaring head being forced coaxially against said tubeend; tube fitting means defining a frustoconical axially outwardlywidening compression surface terminating in an annular axially innerplanar surface, and an axial bore opening through said annular surfaceand having a diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of saidtube end, the outer diameter of said frustoconical stop surface beingless than the outer diameter of said annular planar surface, saidholding means comprising a support defining a recess coaxiallyconfronting said flaring surface of the flaring head and including anaxially outer right circularly cylindrical portion having an innerdiameter slightly greater than that of the large end of said flaringsurface and slidably guiding the flaring head during a flaringoperation, an axially inner frustoconical, axially outwardly wideningportion opening coaxially into said recess outer portion, and an axiallyinnermost tube clamping right circularly cylindrical portion; and stopmeans for positively limiting inward movement of the flaring headrelative to said support for assuring an accurately preselected buckledpartial double flare configuration of the tube end, said stop meansincluding an annular inwardly facing planar stop surface on said flaringhead axially and radially outwardly of said flaring surface, and acomplementary annular outwardly facing planar stop surface on saidsupport at the axially outer end of said cylindrical outer recessportion. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 22. The system of claim 21 wherein said axiallyinner frustoconical outwardly widening portion of the support recessextends substantially perpendicularly to the frustoconical flaringsurface whereby said buckled tube end includes substantiallyperpendicular axially inward and outward buckled portions. .Iaddend.